Wiping Band for Glove or Mitten Covered Hand

ABSTRACT

A wiping band includes a band made of a soft, thin layer of material all or at least a portion of which is made or adapted for the purpose of blotting or wiping one&#39;s nose. The wiping band may be made in several sizes and can be worn alone or over any mitten or glove, surrounding a portion of the hand.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent relates to articles of clothing and in particular to a wiping band that may be fitted over a mittened, gloved or bare hand or over the hand and upon a wrist.

BACKGROUND

Winter outdoor activities invariably require the use of mittens or gloves on one's hand to protect them from the near or below freezing temperatures. Whether skiing, cycling, snowmobiling, golfing, hiking, or playing in the snow, humans are occasionally inconvenienced by runny noses while enjoying these cool weather activities.

A persons nose runs when the air temperature is cold because of the temperature difference between the outdoor air and the body. The mucus membranes inside the nose heat the cold air coming into the body system. When its cold outside, the air inside the nose is much warmer than the outside air. The water vapor that results from the heating process begins to mix with the mucus, condense and drip from the nose.

In many instances it is not possible to stop ones activity, remove one or both mittens or gloves and gather a handkerchief or other cloth to wipe a dripping noise. The activity may not permit it, for example, if one is engaged in a running, ski, skate or similar racing activity or hiking in a situation that does not permit such a break as examples.

Thus, one is left to suffer a runny nose or to wipe their nose on their mitten, glove or coat sleeve. Of course, winter outerwear is often made of synthetic, e.g., nylon outer shell material made to be durable and to repel moisture. This fabric is both uncomfortable on ones skin and unsuitable for wiping and absorbing the liquid being discharged from the nose. Some sports gloves/mittens incorporate fleece patches into their design for the purpose of wiping one's nose; however, these patches are usually bordered by skin-irritating seams, and thorough cleaning requires washing the entire glove

Thus, there is a need for a solution to the runny nose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of wiping bands of various embodiments disposed in relation with a mittened hand; the figure shows palmar and dorsal aspects.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiping band disposed in relation with a fingered glove in accordance with a herein described embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wiping band.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the wiping band of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the wiping band of FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views of embodiments of a wiping band.

FIG. 8 is a graphic illustration of a manufacturing concept for a wiping band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a wiping band 10 as a band 12 made of soft, thin layer or layers of material all or at least a portion 14 of which is made or adapted for the purpose of blotting or wiping one's nose. The wiping band 10 may be made in several sizes and can be worn alone on one's hand or over any mitten or glove 1 surrounding a portion of the hand approximately from the distal portion of the thenar eminence to the metacarpophalangeal joints. The wiping band 10 may alternatively be elastically expanded over the hand and worn upon one's wrist (not depicted).

The wiping band 10 is intended to fit snugly but not tightly, and the natural movement and shape of the hand prevents the wiping band 10 from slipping off. The band 12 may be thin and hem-less, so as not to interfere with full operability of the hand and/or any glove. The band 12 may be straight cut to size and formed into a loop or band with one sewn seam 16. The band 12 may be reversible to maximize usefulness.

While it is envisioned that the band 12 itself will be sufficiently elastic to provide a snug, yet not overly tight fit about the hand, as depicted in FIG. 3, the band 12 may incorporate one or more elastic elements 18. The elastic element 18 may be woven within the fabric of the band 12 so that it is integral with and does not create uneven or uncomfortable transition within the band 12. The band 12 fabric itself may be a fabric blend incorporating elastic materials such as Lycra® or similar materials and may be a single layer of fabric material or multiple layers of fabric material.

The band 12 may be made entirely of a polyester fleece or microfiber, which are suitable soft, deep and absorbent materials for wiping. As depicted as possible alternatives the band 12 may be a thin, soft elastic fabric within which is incorporated or attached a wiping, e.g., fleece or microfiber portion 14. To avoid seams, stitching or other fabric transitions that that may irritate the skin during wiping, the wiping portion may be woven integrally with the fabric of the band 12 as shown in FIG. 5. This arrangement of providing a separate wiping portion 14 within the band 12 may allow a very thin band 12 in combination with a thicker, softer wiping portion 14.

An embodiment of a band 12 depicted in FIG. 5 provides a wiping portion 14 in combination with a band 12. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the wiping portion 14 is sewn into the band 12 at two seams 16. While seams are undesirable generally, as with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the band 12 may be made thinner in comparison to a deeper, softer wiping surface 14.

The band 12 including the wiping portion 14 may be made of several different materials, with polyester fleece or microfiber being preferred. Natural, synthetic and blends of those fibers woven, felted or otherwise made into fabric may be employed.

The band 12 may be right cylindrical in configuration as shown most clearly in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the band 12 may have an offset cylindrical configuration as shown in FIG. 7, which may better fit the portion of the hand between thenar eminence and the metacarpophalangeal joint.

As described above, the band 12 may be size cut from fabric that is formed into loop and secured by a seam. FIG. 8 depicts a continuous cylinder of fabric 20 from which seam-free bands 12 may be cut at selected widths. The bands 12 may be blade, laser, water jet or suitably cut or sheared using virtually any available cutting technology. The edges 22 of the bands 12 may be finished or unfinished. Heat cutting operations such as laser cutting or heated blade cutting may both cut the bands 12 while simultaneously finishing the edges 22.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, certain embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and the herein described embodiments. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms described, but to the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents defined by the appended claims.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘____’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph. 

I claim:
 1. A wiping band comprising: a fabric loop sized to be received about a human hand in the region thereof between the distal thenar eminence and the metacarpophalangeal joints and to snugly engage the region so to substantially remain as positioned on the hand; and the fabric loop including a wiping portion.
 2. The wiping band of claim 1, the fabric loop having a first surface and a second surface, the wiping portion covering substantially the entire first surface.
 3. The wiping band of claim 1, the wiping band being reversible, the wiping surface comprising at least a portion of each of the first surface and the second surface.
 4. The wiping band of claim 3, the wiping surface comprising the entirety of each of the first surface and the second surface.
 5. The wiping band of claim 1, the fabric loop comprising a polyester fleece or microfiber.
 6. The wiping band of claim 1, the wiping portion being woven within the fabric loop.
 7. The wiping band of claim 1, the wiping portion being sewn into the fabric loop.
 8. The wiping band of claim 1, with fabric loop comprising an elastic element.
 9. The wiping band of claim 1, wherein the fabric loop is right cylindrical.
 10. The wiping band of claim 1, wherein the fabric loop is offset cylindrical.
 11. The wiping band of claim 1, wherein the fabric loop is continuous and seamless.
 12. The wiping band of claim 1, wherein the fabric loop includes at least one seam.
 13. The wiping band of claim 1, wherein the fabric loop is sufficiently elastic to allow stretching over the hand and for fitting to a wrist. 